Three-year-old pacing colts and geldings were in the spotlight at Alberta Downs on Sunday afternoon, as the oval hosted a set of $20,000 Adios Pick divisions
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After a horrible 2011 debut effort at Alberta Downs on April 16, Bachelor Pad bounced back in Sunday’s first division winning in a career-best clocking of 1:56.2 for trainer/driver Gerry Hudon.
The son of Brandons Cowboy-Duplex got away fourth while Ambers Best rolled through early panels of :27.4 and :58.3. Western Chrome made a snap move to the lead and proceeded to lead the field to the three-quarter pole in 1:26.4, but hot on his heels was Bachelor Pad. Hudon had the gelding in high gear, and in a matter of strides he rocketed to the top and opened up a four-length lead at the top of the stretch. A :29.2 final quarter propelled Bachelor Pad to the 2-1/2 lengths decision over B R Money Matters, with Western Chrome holding on for the show spot.
Hudon shares ownership on the pacer with fellow Albertans Lynn Kowalevsky and Monica Hudon. It was the fourth lifetime tally for the career winner of $83,609.
Silver Eagle powered away from the competition in the second division, and he did so in a career-best clocking of 1:53.4 for driver Bill Tainsh, Jr. and trainer Lance Ward.
The son of Brandons Cowboy-Allamerican Viking got away eighth and was charted 21 lengths away from the leader Sterling Cooper, who had the field tracking him past the quarter pole in a :27-second clip. Sterling Cooper was still in command of the pace at the mid-way point in :56.2, with Silver Eagle moving up seventh on the rim. A ferocious rush by Silver Eagle earned him a two-length lead at the three-quarter marker in 1:24.1, and a :29.3 final frame was more than enough for the gelding to win by 4-1/2 lengths over Wrangler Bignrich. Sterling Cooper faded to finish third.
Ward shares ownership on the speedster with partners Joe Tinelli and the Shir Win Racing Stable. The victory improved his 2011 record to 4-4-0 in nine starts, and the lion’s share of the purse bumped the six-time winner’s bankroll to $40,196.
Bridgette Hanover snapped out a lengthy losing streak when she stepped to a two-length score in the $8,100 Fillies & Mares Open on the undercard. Trainer/driver Gerry Hudon rallied the five-year-old daughter of Western Ideal-Bet Me Hanover to the 1:55.4 decision over Starring Role and Second Fancy.
Bill Boden of Vancouver, BC hold the papers on the nine-time winner, who has stashed away more than $114,000 in her career.
To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results – Alberta Downs.